MORE NEWS, 6-4 (TENN STEPS UP AS TEXAS BACKS DOWN ON SUN; DOE BACKS GEOTHERMAL PUMPS; IN WIND TRAINING)

TENN STEPS UP AS TEXAS BACKS DOWN ON SUN
Texas solar bill's death could benefit Tennessee
June 2, 2009 (Memphis Business Journal)

"If Texas doesn’t want money to develop solar energy, Tennesee will take it, say some state Democrats.

"Over the weekend, Texas legislators let the clock run out on a bill that would have created a $500 million rebate program to build solar installations in the Lone Star State. On Tennessee’s Capitol Hill Monday, Sen. Jim Kyle [(D-Memphis), who is sponsoring Gov. Phil Bredesen’s energy bill,] was quick to capitalize…"

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"Bredesen has proposed using $600 million in stimulus bill funds to create a Tennessee Solar Institute and West Tennessee Solar Farm that would bring together the resources of the University of Tennessee, Oak Ridge National Laboratories and new companies investing here that will produce solar components, including Wacker Chemie in Bradley County and Hemlock Semiconductor in Clarksville."

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"Those companies were attracted by a package of state incentives and infrastructure-ready industrial megasites…

"Bredesen hopes to position the state as a leader in developing alternative energy sources as part of his legacy as a two-term governor."


DOE BACKS GEOTHERMAL PUMPS
Secretary Chu Announces Nearly $50 Million of Recovery Act Funding to Accelerate Deployment of Geothermal Heat Pumps
June 2, 2009 (Department of Energy)

"During a visit to Fort Wayne, Indiana, where he toured a manufacturer of geothermal heating pumps (GHPs), U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu today announced nearly $50 million from the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act to advance commercial deployment of the renewable heating and cooling systems, which use energy from below the Earth’s surface to move heat either into or away from the home or building. The expanded manufacturing and installation of GHPs could aid in the creation of new jobs while reducing the use of fossil fuels…

"Geothermal heat pumps, also called ground-source heat pumps [GHPs], can be more efficient than the air-source heat pumps more commonly found in commercial and residential applications…[and] can substantially reduce building-related electricity demand while providing lower utility bills and lower maintenance costs to users."

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"DOE today is announcing opportunities for geothermal heat pump projects in three areas:"

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"Innovative Technology Demonstrations: Cost-shared technology demonstration projects that retrofit/incorporate a minimum of 50 tons of heating and cooling capacity and can be deployed in various geological conditions and climate zones in either residential communities or commercial buildings…

"Life Cycle Cost Tools: Projects that will assist in determining project feasibility by gathering and analyzing data related to…life-cycle cost applications…

"National Certification and Accreditation: A national certification and accreditation program for the GHP industry designed to increase consumer confidence in the technology, reduce the potential for improperly installed systems, and assure product quality and performance…"


IN WIND TRAINING
Climb to top of class; School has trainees ascend wind turbines
Joshua Hull, May 31, 2009 (Morris News Service via Amarillo Globe-News)

"Sixteen stories straight up…standing on top of a huge wind turbine with 20 mph winds…a fear of heights isn't going to help…[S]trapped into a safety harness…from the 165-foot-tall Vestas wind turbine at the American Wind Power Center…with no railing…it can feel a little dicey.

"More than a few trained to work on the mammoth energy-giving machines have found out too late that they can't handle the job, said Coy Harris, executive director of [the WindSmith Academy]…Formed by Harris as a kind of "preschool" for those interested in working on wind turbines, the wind center recently hosted its second class of trainees to…learn about the massive towers…[and] get a chance to climb on top of one."

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"Bill Moss, an engineer and energy scientist who drove in from Springfield, Mo., said the 11-hour drive was worth it to find out if changing his career from conventional energy production to wind energy was a good move… The two-day class covers all areas of wind energy, including development, history, interfacing with current energy grids, maintenance, research, design and turbines before culminating with the student's big climb.

"To get to the top of the turbine, a ladder in the tower goes straight from the base to the generator room, where access to the exterior is available…[T]he physical stress of climbing such a large ladder overwhelms some students when they first come in…[But] entry-level test as technicians in the field are often asked to climb much larger towers."

What it looks like in the working world. (click to enlarge)

"For Sarah Lawrence, a self-proclaimed "tree-hugger" from Arlington, there was no better way to reaffirm her desire to get into wind energy…The fourth woman to complete the program, Lawrence said she has been looking for a chance to start a new career managing data and marketing for wind farms since growing bored with her current job…

"Another class is already scheduled for September, and Harris said he hopes to get more universities involved in the training to help those taking classes to work on turbines be sure they're making the right decision and better the chances of those that succeed for landing a job…"